A PLASTERER got so drunk he passed out on a street in Dunmanway, a court heard.

John Murray, 45, of Dunmanway, was given a 12-month probationary sentence at Clonakilty District Court  last week and ordered to get treatment for his alcohol addiction.

Judge Joanne Carroll, who asked Murray to remove his cap in the courtroom, said: ‘You were intoxicated to such an extent that you might injure yourself or somebody else.’

Murray entered a guilty plea for the public order offence, also admitting to giving false personal details to garda when asked to provide them.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy said gardaí received a call on August 21st at 5.30pm, reporting that a man was unconscious, lying on the ground at O’Donovan Rossa Terrace, Dunmanway.

Sgt Mulcahy said: ‘Mr Murray said he was called John O’ Sullivan and gave a fake date of birth, when asked by the Garda attending the scene. The Garda was frightened for his safety and arrested him before taking him to Clonakilty Garda station.’

The court heard that the plasterer had nine previous convictions for criminal damage, theft, burglary and threatening to kill or cause serious harm, as well as for obstruction.

John Murray admitted he had spiralled into drinking following the death of his aunt.

Defending, solicitor Flor Murphy said: ‘He spent six months in Cork Prison and did not drink for six years. Then his aunt died and he has been drinking for the past six weeks. He stopped again last Friday.’

Judge Carroll said: ‘I will give you another chance. You have been to Cork Prison and you know what that’s like. You have a good skill and you should use it.’

She placed him on probation for one year on condition that he gets treatment for his alcohol addiction.

(Funded by the Local Courts Reporting Scheme)